Undermanned Sporting KC loses third straight

For about an hour, Sporting Kansas City looked well on its way to ending a brief losing streak on Saturday on the road against the Chicago Fire.

Forward Bobby Convey notched his first goal of the season off an assist by Roger Espinoza (his first of the year) in the 31st minute. The visiting side carried the 1-0 advantage into halftime and appeared primed to achieve its first victory since April 18.

Two second-half goals by the Fire reversed momentum and sent Sporting (7-3-0) home with its third-straight loss this season. The 2-1 loss, and a victory by the New York Red Bulls, put Sporting one point behind New York in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Fire out-shot Sporting 18-8 in the contest and also owned the advantage in shots-on-goal (6-4). Sebastian Grazzini converted a penalty kick for the Fire in the 61st minute to tie the game. Sporting’s Aurelien Collin earned a foul in the penalty area for the second-straight game to set up the shot.

Further dampering Sporting’s bid for victory was Roger Espinoza’s ejection a minute later after he was issued a red card for his collision with Grazzini in the midfield.

From there, Sporting was limited to 10 men on the field, which the Fire took advantage of in the 81st minute to go ahead. After Kei Kamara attempted to clear the ball away from Sporting’s goal, Patrick Nyarko took the ball and sent it to Dominic Oduro, who converted it for the game-winner.

Sporting Kansas City will play once more on the road, against the 5-5 Colorado Rapids at 8 p.m. on Saturday, before returning to Livestrong Sporting Park on May 27 against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Barclay’s Premier League side to visit Sporting KC in August

Last week, Sporting Kansas City announced that the club will host Stoke City FC of the Barclays Premier League at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 1.

Stoke City FC, the oldest club in the Premier League, will be the second Barclay’s Premier League team to visit Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park, following Newcastle United’s visit in July 2011.

Other Video

Sporting Kansas City at Chicago Fire match highlights

Sporting Kansas City lost its third-straight game to the Chicago Fire on May 12.